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2016 SESSION

16100601D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 381
Offered February 29, 2016
Commending Rabbi Daniel S. Alexander.
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Patrons-- Toscano; Senator: Deeds
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WHEREAS, Rabbi Daniel S. Alexander, a distinguished religious leader, educator, and community activist in Charlottesville, retires as senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in 2016 after nearly three decades of service to the congregation; and

WHEREAS, under Rabbi Alexander’s leadership, Congregation Beth Israel experienced a 250 percent growth in membership and established a religious school with preschool and kindergarten programs to better promote Jewish learning along with worship and community involvement; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Alexander implemented Mitzvah Projects to allow children in the congregation opportunities for community service as a component of ritual competence; he also founded committees to care for sick, grieving, elderly, or otherwise distraught members of the congregation and the community; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his 37-year career as a spiritual leader, Rabbi Alexander also founded and led numerous social services programs, including People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, the Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together, and the Alliance for Interfaith Ministries; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Alexander has offered his wisdom and sage guidance to local colleges, high schools, churches, and civic organizations; at the University of Virginia, he has served as an adjunct faculty member, led the United Ministries, and served for nine years as executive director of the Hillel Foundation at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, respected throughout the region and the United States, Rabbi Alexander has served as president of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and on the National Board of Directors of the Central Conference of American Rabbis; he has also published a book of his sermons, as well as several articles and poems; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement as senior rabbi, Rabbi Alexander will be named rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in 2017, and he will continue to seek new ways to better serve his fellow Charlottesville residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Rabbi Daniel S. Alexander on the occasion of his retirement as senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Charlottesville; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Rabbi Daniel S. Alexander as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his numerous contributions to the Charlottesville community.